Defence and security

One-minute summary

Membership of the EU is crucial to the UK's security. The EU has secured 60 years of peace for the first time in our continent's history since the fall of the Roman Empire, making war between its member states not just undesirable but unthinkable.

One area of EU co-operation is the Common Foreign and Security Policy, which came into force in 1993 with the Treaty of Maastricht (negotiated and signed by Thatcher). Under this policy, the 25 EU member states can combine to speak with one voice on foreign and security issues where they all agree. This gives the UK a far stronger voice on the international stage. But the UK has a veto, and where EU countries disagree (as over Iraq), they go their separate ways.

The EU can also undertake peacekeeping and humanitarian tasks. There is no EU army, but member states are free to contribute to EU-led forces if they wish, such as the force currently in Bosnia.

Co-operation between EU countries is also a cornerstone of our national security against international terrorism and a major plank of support in times of crisis.

Labour views

• UK government: "Member States have at their disposal many foreign policy tools including collectively imposing sanctions and engaging in dialogue with third countries and other international organisations."
• European Parliamentary Labour Party: "EU countries working together have the unique opportunity to
  safeguard their own values on an international stage."
• UK Ministry of Defence: "The UK has always looked for ways to ensure that our security organisations develop so as to keep pace with changing circumstances."

Other views

• Conservatives: "The EU's defence policy is unnecessary, divisive and wasteful."
• Lord Roper: "The EU is a group of countries that cannot imagine the use of force to settle disputes among themselves."
• Centre for European Reform: "The Balkan wars of the 1990s showed how weak European governments were when they tried to act alone."

Reference materials

• European Commission on security policy: An overview of the EU's role in defence and security.
• Wikipedia article on the Common Foreign & Security Policy: Wikipedia is a user-edited online encyclopedia.

Ask the Expert

Need clarification? If you are an LME member, you can post a question on this subject in our Ask the Expert area, part of the Secure Campaign Centre. The area is regularly monitored by MPs, MEPs and LME volunteers.

Found a link?

If you know of a resource on this subject which you think others might find useful, we can add it to this page. Please email webmaster@lme.org.uk.